Cigar lighter



Aug. 23, 1938.

J. SINKO 2,128,016

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed May 10, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill/67275;.- Jolzn- 54/2110, $9 5, WW

Aug. 23, 1938. J. SINKO CIGAR LIGHTER Filed May 10, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fli /555i Inge/2Z0; JO/zn 517mm Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to electric cigar lighters of the type used on automobiles, and has to do more particularly with those commonly known as wireless lighters in that the igniting or lighting unit may be removed from the base or holder and thereby be electrically disconnected from the base, for lighting a cigar, cigarette or pipe.

In my particular designs as illustrated herein, the igniting unit is removably held in the base and normally out of electrical circuit, but by pressing the unit into the base against a spring resistance, it closes the circuit for the heating element and then by relieving the pressure on the unit it automatically opens the circuit and may be pulled out for use.

One of the objects of my invention is to "provide an improved lighter of the above character, simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and positive in operation.

One of the features of my invention is the provision of a lighter of the above character in which I provide light indicating means in the form of an annular passage around the igniter plug extending from the heating element to an annular opening at the face of the base through whichthe incandescence of the heating element may be observed. I carry this feature out further by p oviding a protective translucent or transparent annular collar over this opening, through which the lighting effect may be observed.

Another feature is the provision of a light ring around the plug readily observable while the finger is pressing the plug into the socket.

There are other features to my invention, and these will be more particularly pointed out in the ensuing part of the specification and appended claims.

For a better understanding of my invention reference isto be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate one form of my invention, and Figs. 7 to 12 another form.

Fig. 1 is' an assembled view of the first form;

Fig. 2 is the device of Fig. 1 but with the igniting unit removed from the socket or base;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the device with the parts in their normal position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4.4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 2-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an assembled view of the other form of my invention;

Fig. 8 is the device of Fig. '1 but with the igniter unit removed;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the lighter with the parts in their normal positions;

Fig: 10 is a sectional view along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; e

Fig. 11 is a sectional view along the line 11--11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view along the line 12--12 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 13 shows the contact unit removed from the casing.

Referring now more particularly to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, I provide a base or socket member comprising an outer tubular shell carrying contact elements therein. To this end I provide a cupped base 2| to which is insulatingly attached a contact spider having a plurality of arms 22, preferably three in number. A second contact spider is provided having a plurality of yielding contact arms 23, preferably three in number, which arms extend up from the cup-like base portion 24. The two contact spiders 22 and 23 are attached to the base 2| by means of a shouldered stud 25, suitable insulating plates 26 and 21 being interposed to insulate the spiders from each other.

* This contact spider element is thus assembled as a unit and slipped into the outer shell 20, being held in place by a plurality of inwardly bent tongues 28 formed out of the walls of the shell 20. The base of the shell is reinforced by a metallic washer 29, a threaded sleeve 30 passing through the base and washer and curled over the latter. Thus a fastening yoke as 3! may be used for securing the lighter in the dash of the car, a clamping nut 32 being provided to hold the parts in place.

A number of openings as 33 are provided in the wall of thecasing to permit heat from the lighting element to escape and form ventilation for the interior of the casing.

At the upper end of the casing or base I provide a supporting sleeve for holding the igniting unit consisting of a sleeve portion 34 having a flange portion 35 having a number oi openings 38 therein through which the light from the incandescent heating element may be observed. A rim 31 surrounds the flange and is curled at 38 under the flange of the outer shell or base. The sleeve 38 has a yielding finger 39 (Fig. 2) sprung inwardly slightly to assist in holding the igniting unit in the base.

As to the removable plug or igniting unit, this includes a cup-shaped element holder 40 having 7 a central current carrying stud 4|, a spiral heating element being attached at one end in a slot in the stud 4| as shown in Fig. 5, and having its other end secured in the annular rim of the holder at 42.

The cup 40 is perforated so as to permit the light from the incandescent heating element to pass around to the annular window and to this end a number of perforations 43 are made around the cup. The plug portion of the igniting unit includes a metallic tip or contact maker 44 to which the cup 40 of the heating element is insulatingly applied. However, the central post 4| extends through the tip 44 and is secured by suitable means, preferably a nut 45 which brings the post into electrical contact with tip 44. An annular groove 46 in the tip 44 receives a rounded portion 41 of the spider contact arms and the parts are so related as to maintain the rim of the cup 40 out of contact with the arms 22 of the otherspider as indicated in Fig. 3. The ends 52 of the contact springs pass up over the sleeve 34 and are normally slightly separated therefrom, but when the plug or igniting unit is withdrawn from the socket, these ends 52 engage the collar 34 so as to prevent the contact springs 23 from moving inwardly too far as the tip 44 is the sleeve 48 and the button 48. Thus when the heating element is brought to incandescence the light emanating therefrom passes through the openings 43 in the heater cup, through the annular chamber 5| around the plug, through the openings 36 and where they may be observed through the collar 58. This collar 58 may or may not be used, as desired, but it is preferably employed, thereby normally acting as a protective cover for the openings 86. Translucent Bakelite is preferably employed.

In assembling the device the unit consisting of the contact spiders 22 and 23 is slipped down into the casing or shell 20, and the ears 28 bent inwardly to hold this unit in place. The plug holding sleeve 34 is then secured at the top of the casing 28 after which the plug or igniting unit is pushed into the socket to the position shown in Fig. 3. v

In installing the device the outer shell acts as one terminal in the electric circuit, this being ordinarily connected to the grounded side of the circuit through the frame of the car. This shell then is in electrical contact with the spider contact arms 23. The other contact elements 22 are then connected through a pigtail 53 which was previously permanently connected to the device through the central stud 25.

With the igniter unit in its normal or inoperative position as shown in Fig. 3, the central or live spider contacts 22 are outof contact with the rim of the cup carrying the heating element. By now pressing inwardly upon the button 48 against the tension-of the contact springs 23, the rim of cup 40 contacts with the arms 22, thereby completing the circuit for the heating element. As soon as it reaches incandescence the light rays therefrom will be transmitted upwardly through the openings 43 of the cup and through the outer annular chamber 6| and the openings 36 to show through the opalescent ring 56. By then releasing the pressure upon button 48 the resiliency of the contact arms 41 forces the plunger back into the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby interrupting the circuit to the heating element, and the plug may be withdrawn from the socket and passed around for use.

Referring now to the form of invention as shown in Figs. 7 to 12, this differs from the first form described in respect to some details, one of them being that the protective translucent collar through which the light rays are observed is carried by the socket or base of the device rather than by the igniter unit, and also in that the igniter unit is pressed back into normal position after being operated by a spring actuated collar rather than the spring contact arms.

Considering this form more in detail, it includes an outer shell or casing 60 having a contact-unit assembly (Fig. 13) setting in the bottom of the casing including a base 62 having ears 61 setting in slots in a washer 59 secured to the base of the casing. These ears prevent the base 62 from turning in the casing. A center contact spider 6| is fastened to base 62 by center stud 63 which receives a pigtail 68 for connecting contact 6| with the ungrounded or live terminal of the current supply. An outer sleeve or contact member 64 is slidably supported upon the base 62 being normally pressed against the insulation plate 58 by spring 65 which rests in the annular cupped flange 66 at the bottom of base 62. The plate 58 insulates contact 6| from the base 62 and also acts as a stop to limit the upper movement of sleeve 64.

Spring 65 tends to press the sleeve 64 upwardly, which sleeve 64 acts as a restoring member for the igniting unit and also to connect the grounded casing 60 to the central post of the heating element as will be more fully described.

Referring again to the restoring and contact member 64, this is slidingly supported in the lower or small end of the shell 60 and has a plurality of' openings 69 disposed around the circumference thereof. These openings act as a ventilator for the inside of the cup 64 and also serve to permit the light rays from the igniting element to travel up through the outer annular passage 10 to the transparent or translucent ring 1| which in this form of the invention is carried by the shell instead of on the ignition unit as in the first form. This ring 1| is held between an outer rim 12 and an inner sleeve 13. In assembling this face end of the base or socket the inner sleeve 13 is pressed over the inner shoulder of the ring 1|, after which this assembled element is placed against the top of the casing 68 and the outer rim 12' pressed down over the outer shoulder of the ring 1|, thereby holding the parts securely together, providing a suitable support for the igniting unit and also providing a protected outer light conducting annular passage 10.

As to the igniter unit or plug, this includes a metallic body portion 15 carrying the igniter element 16 at the lower or inside end, the latter being supported in a cup 11 having openings 18 through which the light rays from the heater element 16 pass directly into the light passage 1|].

The cup 11 is secured to the plug body by the central rivet 19 which also acts as one terminal for the heater element 16, the other end of which is secured to the rim of the cup. The cup itself is insulated from the plug body so that only the center terminal ofthe heating element is connected to the plug. The electrical connection to this terminal is made through the plug body 15 and the rim 16 of the sleeve 64 which engages an annular shoulder on the body 75 as indicated in Fig. 9. The plug 715 is connected to the operating button 80 by a sleeve 8! of heat-proof insulating material such as Bakelite, and is slidable in the inner sleeve it which has a yielding tongue 82 pressing against the body of the plug so as to removably hold it in the socket.

In the operation of the device the plug is normally in an inoperative position as shown in Fig. 9, and by pressing upon the button 80 it is pressed inwardly against the tension of the spring 65 until the rim of the cup 71 engages with the contacts M. This closes a circuit through the heating element 16 traced from the live conductor 68, center stud 63, contacts 6!, the rim of the cup, heating element 76, center stud T9, plug body 15, outer contact sleeve 16-454. and the outer shell or casing 60 to the grounded frame of the automobile,

When the igniting element 76 reaches incandescence the light rays are passed directly upwardly through the opening 18 to the light passage 10 and to the translucent window H Where they are observed by the operator. The plug is then withdrawn and may be passed around for use. i

I claim:

luIn a cigar lighter, a socket includ ng a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removableinsertion in. the casing and having an igniting element at the innerend thereof, a support for the unit positioned to provide an annular passage around the plug between the plug and casing and extending along the outside of the plug from the igniting element to the face of the casing to permit passage of light from the igniting element to the face of the casing, said casing having a light emitting opening around the plug at the entering opening and connecting with the light passage, and a translucent collar positioned around the plug covering said light emitting-opening.

2. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a support for the unit positioned to provide an annular passage around the plug between the plug and casing and extending along the outside of the plug from the igniting element to the face of the casing to permit passage of light from the igniting element to the face of the casing, said casing having a light emitting opening around the plug at the entering opening and connecting with the light passage, a translucent collar positioned around the plug covering said light emitting opening, and an opaque shield around the collar to substantially prevent emission of light except through the collar.

3. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a support for the unit positioned to provide an annular passage around the plug between the plug and casing and extending along the outside of the plug from the igniting element to the face of the casing to permit passage of light from the igniting element to the face of the casing, said casing having a light emitting opening around the plug the light passage, and a translucent collar carried by and surrounding the plug for covering said light emitting opening while the plug is in the socket.

4. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular' casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, aplug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a support for the unit positioned to provide an annular passage around the plug between the plug and casing and extending along the outside of the plug from the igniting element to the face of the casing to'permit passage of light from the igniting element to the face of the casing, said casing having a light emitting opening around the plug at the entering opening and connecting with the light passage, and a translucent collar carried by the casing and surrounding the plug front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for re movable insertion through the openinginto the casing, an igniting element, means for supporting the igniting element at the inner end of the plug so as to permit passage of light from the element directly around the outside of the plug, and a supporting sleeve for removably holding the plug in the casing and providing an annular light conduc ing passage between the said sleeve and casing extending to the said frontiace thereof.

6. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion through the opening into the casing, an igniting element, means for supporting the igniting element at the inner end of the plug so as to permit passage of light from the element directly around the outside of the plug, means for removably supporting the plug in the casing to provide an annular light conducting passage between the plug and casing extending to the said front face thereof, and a translucent window surrounding the plug and covering the light conducting passage at the face of the casing.

7. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion through the opening into the casing, an igniting element, means for supporting the igniting element at the inner end of the plug so as to permit passage of light from the element directly around the outside of the plug, a fixed sleeve in said casing for removably supporting the plug in the casing to provide an annular light conducting passage between the sleeve and casing extending to the said front face thereof, a contact element in the casing for connecting with one terminal of the igniting element, and asecond contact element extending along the light passage for normally connecting through the plug with another terminal of the igniting element.

8. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion through the opening into the casing, an igniting element, means for supporting the igniting element at the inner end of the plug so as to permit passage of light from the element directly around the outside of the pl means for removably supporting the plug in the casing to provide an annular light conducting passage between the plug and easing extendin to the said front face thereof, a central fixed contact in the bottom of the casing but insulated therefrom for connecting with one terminal of the igniting element, and a spring actuated contact member supported in the bottom of the casing surrounding the ignition element and extending into the light passage for normally connecting through the plug with the other terminal of the igniting element, and having spaced openings to permit light passage from the ignition element to the annular passage.

9. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug i niting unit for removable insertion in the casing, and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a handle protruding from the outer end thereof, a translucent member at the base of said handle and extending substantially around the periphcry of said plug in such position as to be visible even when said handle is held in the hand of a user, and means for holding said igniting element and forming a passage for light to pass therefrom to' the inner surface of said translucent member; said inner surface being of such shape and position that the majority of light reaching it from said igniter element passes through said surface to cause said translucent member to glow.

10. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing, and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a handle protruding from the outer end thereof, a translucent member at the base of said handle and extending substantially around the periphcry of said plug in such position as to be visible even when said handle is held in the hand of a user, and means for holding said igniting element and forming a passage for light to pass therefrom to the inner surface of said translucent member, said translucent member having inner and outer walls approximately normal to the path of light reaching them from said igniting element to cause the majority of light striking said walls to pass therethrough.

11. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing, and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a translucent handle protruding from the outer end thereof and having at its base a translucent annular flange extending substantially around the periphery of said plug in such position as to be visible even when said handle is held in the hand of a user, and means for holding said igniting element and forming a passage for light to pass therefrom to the inner surface of said translucent flange, said translucent flange having inner and outer walls so shaped and positioned with respect to the path of light reaching them from said igniting element as to cause the majority of said light to pass therethrough and make said flange glow, and said translucent handle also being so positioned and shaped as to receive suflicient light to make it glow.

12. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front face thereof, a plug igniting unit for removable insertion in the casing, and having an igniting element at the inner end thereof, a

translucent handle protruding from the outer end thereof and having at its base a translucent annular flange extending substantially around the periphery of said plug in such position as to be visible even when said handle is held in the hand of a user, and means for holding said igniting element and forming a passage for light to pass therefrom to the inner surface of said translucent flange, said translucent flange having inner and outer walls so shaped and positioned with respect to the path of light reaching them from said igniting element as to cause the majority of said light to pass therethrough and make said flange glow, and said translucent handle also being so positioned and shaped as to receive sufficient light to make it glow, the glow of said flange being substantially as great in intensity as the glow of said handle.

13. In a cigar lighter, a socket including a tubular casing having an entering opening at the front end thereof, a plug for removable insertion through the opening into said casing, a cup mounted on the inner end of said plug and having light openings in its rear wall, an igniting element mounted in said cup so as to permit passage of light from the element outwardly through the cup and between the plug and tubular casing, the inner end of said plug being tapered towards the igniting element.

JOHN sINKoI 

